Stbeet-indicatob



' W. MOHRONE.

STREET INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED H58. 5. 1915.

l ll 96., 1 3 6 u. Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

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STREET mom/non.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5. 1915- '1 9 1 9., 1 3 Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

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WILLIAM MORRONE, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TONICOLA MORRONE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

STREET-INDICATOR.

incense.

Specification of Letters lPatent. Patented Aug, 29, 1916,

Application filed February 5, 1915. Serial No. 6,325.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM MonRoNn,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Street-Indicators, (No. 2;) and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to street indicators, and the primary object ofthe invention is to provide a street indicator embodying a flexiblecurtain upon which the names or designations of streets, crossings orthe like are imprinted, and to pass this flexible curtain before awindow for visually exposing the same.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device as specifiedwhich embodies a plurality of rollers arranged so as to expose both thefront and back of the flexible curtain, for indicating the'street whichis being approached by a street car or other movable object, and also toexhibit the street just passed or any other statement which it might bedesirous for exhibiting.

Another object of this invention is to construct a street indicator asspecified, which embodies means for manually moving the curtainincluding a flexible member, a sprocket chain which travels about asprocket pulley mounted upon the curtain controlling shaft, a weight fornormally returning the sprocket chain to an operative position, and toconnect the foregoing article in such manner that when a pull isadministered to the flexible member, the chain will be movedlongitudinally for rotating the curtain carrying shaft for moving thecurtain one space for exhibiting the name of the street next to the onewhich has pre viously been exhibited A still further object of theinvention is to provide a signaling mechanism, which is automaticallyoperated by the moving of the curtain, for sounding an alarm or signalupon the changing of the street name before the window or visiblesection of the street indicator.

A still further object of this invention is to provide means formanually rewinding the curtain, and also for manually rotating thecurtain bearing shaft for tightening the curtain thereon.

Further objects of this invention are to provide means for normallyholding the shaft upon which the curtain is to be wound against reverseunwinding, to associate means with said restraining means for moving itout of an operative position for permitting of the unwinding of thecurtain, and to generally simplify andimprove the construction of streetindicators as specified.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention consists incertain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement ofparts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and claimed.-

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to theaccompanying drawings, wherein like characters designate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which- Figure 1is a front view of the improved street indicator showing parts thereofbroken away, Fig. 2 is an end view of the street indicator showing theend of the protected housing removed, Fig. 3 is a cross sectional viewon the line 33 of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end view of the streetindicator showing the end opposite to that shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawing, Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view through the mechanismfor moving the flexible curtain, and Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a keyshowing a section of the protected casing of the indicator and of theweight, to exhibit the manner of attaching the key for holding theweight rigid when tightening the curtain upon the roll.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 designates the protectingcasing of the street indicator, which may be constructed of sheet metalor other analogous material. The casing 1 has U-shaped guide ways 2 and3 formed upon the upper and lower edges of the forward side thereof, inwhich guide ways is slidably seated a front 4. The front 4 isconstructed of sheet metal and is provided with two windows or openings6 and 7 formed therein, through which the characters which are imprintedupon the curtain 8 are visible.

The curtain 8 is carried by rollers 9 and .lOwhich are journaled withinand extend transversely across the interior of the casing or housing 1.The roller 9 upon which the curtain 8 is initially wound is positionedbelow the roller 10, and has a crank handle 11 secured to one endthereof and extending out through the end of the housing to provide forthe manual rotation of the roller 9 for winding the curtain 8 thereupon.

Rollers 12, 13, 14 and 15 are rotatably carried by the housing 1, andpositioned a short distance inwardly from the front of the housing,being positioned at the upper and lower edges of the openings 6 and 7 inthe plate 4. The curtain 8 extends from the roller 12 to the roller 13in a vertical plane and from the roller 14 to the roller 15 in avertical plane, positioning the section of the curtain between therespective pairs of rollers directly in front of the window openings 6and 7 for exhibiting the street designating characters which areimprinted thereon.

The curtain 8 is initially rolled or wound upon the roller 9, and fromthence it passes about the rollers 13 and 12 and is wound upon theroller 10. The curtain 8 also passes about the rollers 14 and 15 in sucha manner that the reverse side of the curtain will be exhibited throughthe window 7, to that which is exhibited through the win dow 6.

The roller 10 is normally held against an unwinding rotation, by aratchet 16, which is mounted upon one end of the central supportingshaft of the roller, and exteriorly of one end of the housing 1, and bya pawl 17 which engages the peripheral ratchet teeth of the ratchet 16.The pawl 17 is pivotally supported by the end of the housing 1, and ithas a projection 18 formed thereupon, which is engaged by the upper endof the rod 19. The rod 19 is externally screw threaded, and isadjustably carried by a collar 20 which is internally screw threaded andis secured in any suitable manner to the end of the housing 1. A secondcollar 21 forms a guide for the rod 19, and is positioned below thecollar 20. The rod 19 has a corrugated head 22 formed upon its lower endso as to facilitate the manual rotation thereof, for raising or loweringthe rod for moving the pawl ll, out of engagement with the peripheralratchet teeth of the ratchet 16, for permitting of the unwindingrotation of the roller 10. A stud shaft 23 projects out of the end ofthe casing 1 opposite to the end upon which the ratchet 16 is mounted,and it has a collar 24 mounted thereon, which engages the outer surfaceof the end of the housin to prevent longitudinal movement of the rol er10 therein. The section of the shaft 23,

- which projects outwardly from the collar 24 is reduced in diameter,and is provided with external, screw threads on its outer end. Asprocket 26 is mounted upon the reduced end 25 of the shaft 24 and ithas a recess 27 formed in its inner face which receives the collar 24and frictionally grips the outer end or side of the collar, for rotatingthe shaft 23 synchronously with the rotation of the sprocket 2G. Thesprocket 26 is held in firm binding engagement with the collar 24 forrotating the shaft 23, by a hand nut 28, which is adjustably mountedupon the screw threaded end of the shaft 23, as is clearly shown in Fig.5 of the drawing.

The roller 10 has a plate or spider 10 secured to the end thereofopposite to the end which carries the ratchet 16. The plate 10 issecured to the ends of the roller in any suitable manner and has a pin1O extending longitudinally from the central axis thereof, which pin isinserted into the enlarged end 23 of the stub shaft 23. A ratchet 23 iscarried by the inner end of the enlargement 23, and its peripheralratchet teeth are engaged by a pawl 23, which is pivotally connected tothe plate 10. The ratchet 23 is engaged by the pawl 23 and the ratchet16 is engaged by the pawl 17 to prevent the unwinding rotation of theroller. When it is desired to unwind the curtain from the roller 10, thenut 28 is removed from the screw threaded end 25, and the stub shaft 23is moved longitudinally, for moving the ratchet 23 out of engagementwith the pivoted pawl 23", which will permit of the rotation of theroller 10 independent of the rotation of the stub shaft 23.

A protecting housing 29 is secured to the end of the housing 1 in anysuitable manner, and it is bent to assume substantially a semi-circularshape in cross section, being positioned over the upper edge of thesprocket 26, forming a guard for the sprocket chain 30 which passesabout the sprocket 26. The sprocket chain 30 has a weight 31 connectedto its lower forward end, which weight is slidably carried by angleirons 32 and 33, which form a guide way for regulating the slidablemovement of the weight 31.

The end 34 of the sprocket chain 30 which is free from connection withthe weight 31, has a flexible member 35 connected thereto, which may beeither a chain or cord, as desired. The flexible member 35 is secured tothe bottom of the housing 1, as shown at 36, and it extends upwardlytherefrom, being secured to or extending through an eye 37 formed in theend 34 of the sprocket chain 30. The flexible member 35 extendsdownwardly from the eye 37, and passes about a grooved guiding pulley38, which is rotatably carried by the housing 1 and extends through thesame, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The flexible member35 has a handle 39 connected to its free end, which provides for a firmgrip upon the flexible member for pulling it downwardly for operatingthe street indicator in the manner which will be hereinafter more fullydescribed.

The weight 31 is provided with a transversely extending opening 40,which alines with an opening 41 formed in the housing 1, when the weightis in its lowermost position. The openings 40 and 41 are provided forreceiving the bit 42 of a key 43, for holding the weight againstmovement, so as to permit of the manual rotation of the shaft 23 and theroller 10, for tightening the rolls of the curtain upon the roller.

Any suitable means, such as a-wing nut 44 and a disk 45 may be employed,as is shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, for connection to the end of theroller 9 opposite to the one to which the crank handle 11 is connected,for tightening or loosening the bearing of the roller, for facilitatingor impeding the rotation of the roller.

The top 46 of the housing 1 projects over the end upon which the angleplates 32 and 33 are carried, and it has a bearing member 47 secured toits upper surface, through which bearing member a striking pin 48extends. The striking pin 48 which is slidably carried by the bearing47, extends downwardly through the top 46 being positioned in the pathof the upward movement of the weight 31. The upper end of the strikingpin 48 has a head 49 formed thereon which engages the under surface ofthe lever 50. The lever 50 is pivotally carried, intermediate of itsends by a bracket 51, which is secured to and extends upwardly from thetop of the housing 1. The end of the lever 50 which is free fromconnection with the head 49, is enlarged, as is shown at 52, and ispositioned directly above the striking pin 53 of an ordinary call bell54. The call bell 54, as illustrated in the drawings, embodies the alarmbell 55, which has suitable clappers (not shown) positioned therein,which clappers are controlled by the vertical movement of the strikingpin 53.

A vertically extending shield 56 is secured to the forward end of thetop 46 and extends upwardly therefrom forming a shield for the alarmsounding mechanism which includes the lever 50, and the call bellmechanism 54.

Metallic straps 57 are secured to and extend upwardly and downwardlyfrom the rear wall of the housing 1, and they are provided for attachingthe street indicator to any permanent support.

The operation of the improved street indicator heretofore described: Thecurtain 8 which bears the street indicating characters, is originallywound upon the roller 9, and from thence about the various rollers 12,13, 14 and 15 and upon the roller 10, as heretofore described, so thatwhen the roller 10 is rotated, the curtain will unwind from the roller 9and wind upon the roller 10, moving the same forward one space upon eachoperation of the roller 10. The roller 10 is rotated for moving thecurtain forwardly one space, by pulling downwardly upon the flexiblemember 35, which pulls the weight 31 upwardly, and the sprocket chain 30across the sprocket 26, rotating the sprocket 26 a distance equivalentto the movement of the sprocket chain 30 which is previously arranged soas to move the curtain 8 the distance necessary for exhibiting a streetor station designation next to the one which has been previouslyexhibited.

An upward movement of the weight 31 is limited by a stop 58, which iscarried by and depends from the overhanging section of the top 46. Whenthe weight 31 almost reaches the upper terminal of its movement, itengages the lower end of the striking rod 48 moving this rod upwardlywithin its bearing 47. The upward movement of the pin 48 will rock thelever 50 causing the end 52 thereof to strike and press downwardly thestriking pin 53, which will sound an alarm, upon each operation of theflexible curtain 8 by the flexible member 35. Upon each operation of thesprocket 26 and consequently the roller 10, the sections of the curtain8 which are positioned in front of the windows 6 and 7 will each bemoved synchronously, exhibiting the street which the car is approaching,and if it is so desired the street which it has just passed, however, ifit is desired any suitable characters may be exhibited on the curtain,and the device used for other purposes besides a street indicator,without departing from the spirit of this invention.

When the curtain 8 has been unwound from the roller 9, it may be rewoundthereupon, by rotating the roller through the medium of the crank 11 andreleasing the pawls 17 from engagement with the ratchet and disengagingthe pawl 23 from the ratchet 23*.

If it is desired to tighten the winding of the curtain 8 upon the roller10, the key 43 is inserted through the openings 40 and 41 which willhold the weight 31 against movement, and the shaft 23 and the roller 10are rotated by manual power through the medium of the hand nut 28 untilthe desired tightness is achieved.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdraw ings the advantages of construction and of the method of operationof the improved street indicator will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art to which this invention appertains and, while in theforegoing description, the principle of the operation of this inventionhas been described together with various features of construction,

it is to be understood that certain minor features of construction,combination and arrangement of parts may be altered to suit practicalconditions provided such alterations are comprehended within the scopeof what is claimed.

What is claimed is 1. In a street indicator, a protective housing, aplurality of rollers carried by said housing, a plurality of idlerrollers, carried by said housing, a flexible curtain carryingdesignating characters wound upon one of said rollers, and extendingabout said idler rollers, and wound upon the other of said rollers, saididler rollers positioned for exhibiting different sections of the frontand back of said curtain, a sprocket wheel operatively connected to saidfirst named rollers, a sprocket chain for travel about said sprocket, aflexible member connected to said sprocket chain, for pulling saidsprocket chain over said sprocket and rotating said rollers for movingthe curtain forward one space upon each operation of said sprocketchain, a weight carried by one end of said sprocket chain forautomatically returning said sprocket chain to an operative position, astop member carried by said housing for limiting the movement of saidweight and said sprocket chain, and an alarm sounding mechanism carriedby said housing and means operable by the upward movement of said weightfor sounding a signal upon the movement of said weight and said curtain.

2. The combination with a street indicator embodying a movable curtain,of a signal and alarm mechanism, comprising a bell, means for strikingsaid bell, and sounding a signal, a lever, a pin having one end engagingsaid lever, and means for rocking said lever for moving said bellstriking means for sounding a signal upon the movement of said curtain.

3. In a street indicator, a protective housing, a plurality of rollerscarried by said housing, a plurality of idler rollers carried by saidhousing, a flexible curtain carrying designating characters wound uponone of said rollers, and extending about said idler rollers, and woundupon the other of said rollers, said idler rollers positioned forexhibiting diiferent sections of the front and back of said curtain, asprocket wheel operatively connected to said first named rollers, asprocket chain for travel about said sprocket, a flexible memberconnected to said sprocket chain for pulling said sprocket chain oversaid sprocket and rotating said rollers for moving the curtain forwardone space upon each operation of said sprocket chain, a weight carriedby one end of said sprocket chain for automatically returning saidsprocket chain to an operative position, the other end of said chainconnected to the casing for limiting the downward movement of theweight, a stop member carried by said housing for limiting the movementof said weight and said sprocket chain in an upwardly direction, and analarm sounding mechanism carried by said housing and means operable bythe upward movement of said weight for sounding a signal upon themovement of said weight and said curtain.

4:. In a street indicator, a protective housing, a plurality of rollerscarried by said housing, a plurality of idler rollers carried by saidhousing, a flexible curtain carrying designating characters wound uponone of said rollers, and extending about said idler rollers, and woundupon the other of said rollers, said idler rollers positioned forexhibiting different sections of the front and back of said curtain, asprocket wheel operatively connected to said first named rollers, asprocket chain for travel about said sprocket, a flexible memberconnected to said sprocket chain for pulling said sprocket chain oversaid sprocket and rotating said rollers for moving the curtain forwardone space upon each operation of said sprocket chain,a weight carried byone end of said sprocket chain for automatically returning said sprocketchain to an operative position, said housing and weight provided withalining apertures therein, a key adapted to be mounted in the apertureof said weight and extended into the aperture of the casing to hold saidweight against movement to tighten the curtain upon last mentionedrollers, a stop member carried by said housing for limiting the movementof said weight and said sprocket chain, and an alarm sounding mechanismcarried by said housing, and means operable by the upward movement ofsaid weight for sounding a signal upon the movement of said weight andsaid curtain.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM MOB-BONE. Witnesses:

F. CANNTI, Josnrn GA'rro.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

